Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-07-15
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There was a wedding in Wisconsin last
week. Weddings in Wisconsin are not in
frequent, but there was that about this par
ticular linking of two young lives, with
their accompanying portion of this worlds
goods, that served to make it rather pecul-
lar. The groom, in anticipation of the
happy event, had written some time previ-
ously 10 his father, venerable down east
minister Of Mr.. Wesley's church, inviting
him to come out and perform the ceremony.
While as yet his coming was uncertain, the
parents of the bride entered into negotia-
lions with their home clergyman-a gen
tleman of the Universalist faith-who
readily consented to do the joiner's work,
and, as it seems, forthwith considered him
self engaged In the fullness Of time the
good Methodist brother announced his in
tcntion to be on hand, and on hand he was
the day before the wedding was to take
place Half an hour later it became un-
pleasantly apparent that so far as official
ing clergymen were concerned, here was
indeed an embarrassment of riches. The
result was that the Methodist brother called
upon the Unversalst brother, expressed
the natural desire Of the paternal heart to
olliciate at the marriage Of his own son,
and vcnturcd to hint that the lattudinari-
an brother give way. Whether it was a
question Of pride or the prospective fee,
may never he known, but the Universal
ist brother not only stood upon his rights,
but, 10y his learned exposition Of the Wis
cunsin marriage law, made it as plain rs the
way 10 IA parish church that if IA clergyman
purposes to Join two people in the bonds Of
matrimuny in the Badger state lac must be
prepared to show by indubitable testimony,
tina; he is u regularly ordained minister Of
the gospel Now while the good Metho-
dist brothers good wife had packed about
everything else into her spouse's valise that
could by any possibility minister ~ his com
fort she had forgotten his credentials. They
were at home and here he was in Wiscon-
sin.
A ray Of light pierced the gloom, howev-
err, when IL was subsequently discovered
that in the absence Of the credentials them
selves IA minister may act If he can sue
coed in persuading the county clerk 10y 9TH
er evidence properly recorded that ne is II
bona iide regularly ordained clergyman.
The groom and one other, besides the Meth
odst brother himself, were quite ready tn
make affidavit to such state Of facts, and
after much telegraphing back and forth
and night ride over to the county seat,
all legal Instructions were brushed away,
] peace sllItal ueT wings, anu inc MtluotllSl
brother in the goodness Of his heart actual
ly offered TO let his late antagonist oiiiciate
with him on the basis of an even divide.
The offer was accepted, the allotted parts
carefully marked and the "cues" agreed
upon and all promised TO go off with the
regularity of a new - alarm clock.
But it didn't The Universalst brother
upon whom devolved the prelimary portion
Of the ceremony, was apparently minded,
| like Mr.. Tcnnyson's brook to go on forever.
/ Instead Of following the Shakcsperan in
| junction regarding other clowns to speak
no more than is set down for thcm,' he not
only went through his own part Of the GER
| emony, but made generous incursion up
on the others When at last he finally did
/ let 20. it puzzled the Methodist brother a,
/ it might well have puzzled any one else, t,
/ know what was left outside of the benedic
/ ton But the follower of Mr.. Wesley
] proved.equal to the occasion. With a neat
/ ly-worded introduction and regret al
/ what might seem to be a repetition Of som,
/ things that had already been said, he calm
| ly and reverently proceeded to marry tn,
/ young people over again
1t is doubtful whether couple has beer
50 thoroughly married in Wisconsin or else
where for many moons. II Chicago Tribune